Gallon Of Iced Tea Or Lemonade Recipe

Combine and dissolve

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture just comes to a simmer. Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Store in a jar; will keep refrigerated for 2 weeks.

Steep the tea

Bring 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water to a boil. Place 8 black tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or large heatproof container. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and steep 5 minutes for a bold brew (up to 7 minutes for stronger). Do not over-steep to avoid bitterness.

Dilute and chill

Remove and discard the tea bags, gently squeezing each against the side of the pitcher for extra flavor if desired. Add 2 liters (about 8 cups) of cold water to the concentrated tea to make roughly 1 gallon. Stir in simple syrup (start with 3/4 cup of the cooled syrup, or 6 tbs) or 3 tbs honey/agave; taste and add more sweetener to your preference (up to full cup syrup equivalent).

Finish

Add 6 cups of ice or transfer to the refrigerator to chill until cold. Add lemon slices and optional mint sprigs or ginger slices. Stir gently before serving into cups over additional ice.

Juice lemons

Roll the lemons on the counter to soften. Cut in half and juice until you have about 1 cup (240 ml) fresh lemon juice (generally from ~8 medium lemons). Strain seeds and large pulp into a measuring cup.

Combine with water and sweetener

In a large pitcher combine the 1 cup fresh lemon juice with 3 liters (about 12 cups) cold water. Stir in simple syrup (start with 3/4 cup cooled syrup, or 6 tbs honey/agave) and taste. Adjust sweetness as needed — add more syrup or sweetener until balanced (lemonade should taste bright but pleasant).

Chill and finish

Add 6 cups of ice to the pitcher or chill in the refrigerator until cold. Add lemon slices and optional mint. Stir before serving over ice in cups.

Serve in cups (recipe yields about 1 gallon, 8–10 servings). Provide straws and additional lemon slices or mint for garnish. If tea or lemonade has been refrigerated, give a quick stir and add fresh ice to each cup so drinks remain crisp.